Sicily's Rich Cultural Heritage

Arrive in Valletta. Board the Sea Cloud II and attend dinner as the ship sets sail.

Enjoy the ship's luxurious amenities as it sails to Sicily.

The old town and port of Trapani lies on a picturesque crescent-shaped headland at the foot of Monte Erice. You can discover many little treasures browsing through the beautiful town center. For the last 1,000 years, fine black and red coral jewelry has been made here. The mountain town of Erice is a real architectural gem. Not far from Tapani, this idyllic little town is tucked away in a picturesque hilltop setting overlooking the countryside and the sea. Protected defiantly by a wall, the town retains its splendid medieval atmosphere.

The character of Palermo, Sicily's vibrant capital, was mainly forged by the Arabs, Swabian dynasty, and Normans. Noble palaces line the magnificent streets, cheerful-looking Art Nouveau houses stand next to Baroque buildings, and a little further on you are faced with pure Gothic facades. The medieval quarter towers above the huge Palazzo Reale with its "Capella Palatina", a masterpiece in the Arab-Byzantine-Norman style. The small mountain town of Monreale gives you a breathtaking view over the town and the bay, as well as the 12th-century cathedral whose interior combines Romanesque, Byzantine, and Arab art with rich gold mosaics.

Lipari is a tranquil little spot and the largest of the Aeolian Islands, with a cultural heritage stretching back over 6,000 years. Right from first glance you can see its volcanic heritage, with some of the rock formations resembling sculptures. The entire group of islands is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Aeolian Museum is set on the castle hill and holds an impressive collection of prehistoric and ancient artifacts from this volcanic group of islands. The southern Italian way of life in this little port is infectious.

The Strait of Messina divides northeastern Sicily's harbor city from the rest of Italy. It is well-known for the Norman Messina Cathedral, which features a bell tower with an astronomical clock, a Gothic portal, and windows from the fifteenth century. The Fontana di Orione, with its carved inscriptions, and the Neptune Fountain, crowned by a statue of the sea deity, are two marble fountains nearby that are ornamented with legendary motifs.

strong>Taormina is perched on a rock with a majestic view over the sea. In the 19th century, this small town had already developed into a dream destination for well-heeled travelers and artists. The town's fascination lies in its elegance, the many ancient buildings, the stunningly beautiful coastline, the mild climate, and the view over the silhouette of Etna. Europe's largest volcano is over 3,000 meters (9,843 foot) high, has four summit craters and around 400 subsidiary craters, and is covered with snow almost all year round. In ancient times it was considered the seat of the gods, but nowadays large sections of it are a nature reserve.
 

The municipal area of Syracuse boasts relics from cultural history going back more than three millennia. In ancient times, the city was the most powerful in the known world and was famed for its splendor. The island of Ortigia, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was where Syracuse began its rise as an ancient city. The huge cathedral is at the heart of the old town, magnificent palaces line the Piazza, and wide promenades invite you to take a stroll. The archaeological park brings Greek and Roman history back to life. Yet Syracuse exudes southern Italian charm, with washing drying outside the windows.
 

Arrive in Malta and enjoy your breakfast before disembarkation.